-
Locations
Hospitals and Multispecialty Locations
-
Patients & Visitors
Case managers are registered nurses who act as your advocate and work with your healthcare team. Your assigned case manager ensures you receive timely, high quality, cost effective services throughout every aspect of your hospitalization and beyond. Your case manager will visit you soon after you arrive at the hospital and regularly thereafter.
Westerly Hospital’s case management goals include achieving your optimal health, along with helping you access care and appropriate use of resources, and balancing these objectives with your right to self-determination.
Since patients often recover better in non-hospital settings such as their own home or in a rehabilitation center, you can expect discharge planning to begin as soon as you are admitted to the hospital. A team of specialists, including your doctors, nurses, physical therapists and case managers will develop this plan along with you and your representative. You will be asked to participate and contribute fully in this process. Once your discharge plan is complete, a discharge coordinator will help you to activate your plan.
When your physician has written your discharge orders, a summary of your hospital stay will be communicated to your primary care physician. If you are to be discharged home, we will help you arrange your post-hospital follow up appointments prior to your discharge.
Your case manager also confers with your health insurance company. Health insurance regulations and rules are specific, and we will make every effort to abide by your health plan’s requirements to optimize payment of your bill. Your case manager will also provide comprehensive information about follow up care options, including your out-of-pocket costs and insurance coverage, as much as possible.
Your nurse will review your discharge instructions (a copy will be given to you) and the orders for medications that your doctor has written for you to take home. Be sure to ask questions and take notes so that you understand the names of all your medications and why they have been prescribed for you. It is crucial you carry a list of your medications with you at all times so you can refer to them when necessary. If in doubt, ask! Once home, direct any questions about medications and ongoing care to your doctor or pharmacist.
A social worker is available for any personal issues of concern. The social worker provides professional, compassionate services to help you and your family find solutions and ways to cope with many of life’s difficulties including:
Our Case Management team is always available to help you or your representative answer questions regarding your care. If you would like to meet with a member of Case Management, please ask your nurse, dial extension 3258 or, from outside the hospital, call 401-348-3258. There is no charge for case management services.
